Soon after India won her hard earned independence, the celebrations were cut short by the tragedy of communal riots that followed the partition of India.
The actual transfer of power to India and Pakistan proved to be bloody and bitter. Hindus living for generations in what was to become Pakistan had to flee their homes overnight.
At the same time, millions of Muslims abandoned their homes to cross the border into Pakistan. In the chaotic days and months following the independence of India and Pakistan, violence multiplied as religious sentiment intensified, and there was little in the way of police or military to maintain law and order.
The estimated loss of life during the partition of India is one million. Apart from this, 14 to 18 million people were forced to cross the international border in search of safe havens.
It has been described as one of the ten great tragedies of the 20th century. 
